Chapter 1033 - Lunar City
Outside of Future Building, media from all over the world gathered. The first-floor conference center was jampacked with people and the reporters all rushed into the venue. With staff’s guidance, the reporters were seated and the photographers continued to hold their cameras of different sizes. All the lenses were focused on the podium in front of the venue, waiting for the press conference to begin.
They didn’t wait long. The hour hand had just passed nine o’clock and a soft light lit up from behind the podium, Jiang Chen in a black suit went to the podium, calmly picked up the microphone, and smiled at the cameras.
“Thank you for coming to the press conference of Celestial Trade. I am representing Celestial Trade’s Board of Directors and I warmly welcome you.”
“I believe that everyone is aware of the content of the press conference from the materials in your hand. According to our discussions with Xin Space Agency, the Xin Lunar Colony will be officially renamed Lunar City. The city will also exist as a Xin municipality similar to Penglai. Xin will have judication and sovereignty right to Lunar City and Celestial Trade will enjoy autonomy as a Xin enterprise in the city.”
When these words came out, there was a wave of discussion. Although these reporters from all over the world already learned Celestial Trade’s decision to change the name of the lunar colony, the material didn’t mention sovereignty over Lunar City!
The right to establish sovereignty on the Moon? What a joke!
Many journalists, especially Western journalists, raised their hand high. However, Jiang Chen just glanced at them and gestured for the journalists to wait.
It is not the Q&A stage yet, keep your question to yourself.
“At two o’clock yesterday morning, the Seagull-class transport ship carrying 500 colonists arrived at the Moon. The population of Lunar City has now exceeded 1,000. Considering that the production units have been fully developed, from tomorrow on, Celestial City will open a travel route to Lunar City for all Xin citizens and foreign tourists holding passports!”
The venue was quite quiet, and the reporters who were eager to ask questions stared dumbfoundedly at the podium. It took them a full ten seconds to digest this explosive piece of information. Someone began to applaud, then it quickly turned into thunderous applause that deafened the venue.
And those netizens watching the live broadcast from their computers already began to cheer. They quickly typed on the keyboard while venting their excitement through countless comments and shares.
[Damn, this is amazing!]
[It’s shameful, our manned Moon mission is still in the research stage, and they have already built a city on the moon. Maybe by the time we go up, playgrounds and cinemas would be everywhere.]
[Stupid, why do we need to research. A ticket is enough to go, why bother researching? I think all those in aerospace research should be laid off. The funding can be used to build more schools and help the poor.]
[What did the aerospace research do… It’s not like we have not been putting in all our effort, it’s just that the competition is too spectacular. What do you want us to do?]
[I don’t care about anything else. Does this mean I can travel to the moon? I already have a tourist visa, who can tell me what I need to do next?]
The discussion on the Internet began to heat up, and the press conference continued.
After a brief overview, it was the Q&A period. The reporters were eager to raise their hand. It was finally their home court. They did their best to ask the trickiest and toughest questions.
“You mentioned that Xin will have the sovereign right to Lunar City. I want to ask if you learned about the United Nations ‘Outer Space Treaty’ signed in 1967. The second article clearly stipulates that ‘outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.’” The Colombian Television reporter immediately raised a sharp question.
From the eyes of the reporters in the front row of the venue, Jiang Chen saw similar questions. Obviously, all the reporters questioned the legitimacy of Celestial Trade’s sovereign declaration.
Jiang Chen adjusted the microphone and answered the question.
“The Outer Space Treaty was signed half a century ago. Until a year and a half ago, in the past half a century, only a total of twelve people successfully stepped onto the Moon… Yes, until a year and a half ago. Obviously, the United Nations “Outer Space Treaty” signed in 1967 is no longer applicable to the modern aerospace industry that has expanded at lightning speed.”
Jiang Chen then paused, and his voice grew louder and more powerful.
“We have the technology that can send more people to the Moon and even other celestial bodies to expand the territory for human civilization. Why do we still use ancient treaties to imprison our footprints? You think that we are declaring sovereignty on something that doesn’t belong to us, right? Wrong! Absolutely wrong! We are just guaranteeing our legitimate rights and interests, proving that the wealth we create belongs to us. I remember that you are a UA citizen, and you declared the rights to America. At least we declared on no man’s land, but your claim it at the expense of the Indians.”
Jiang Chen’s rightful and just speech turned the Colombian Television reporter speechless.
To be precise, the reporter actually had more to say, such as “this is totally two different things”, “Indians are also an inseparable part of our society, please do not make statements that are harmful to the unity of society and people.” However, according to the rules of the press conference, a reporter could only speak once unless in special circumstances. Jiang Chen indicated that he could sit down, so he could only swallow his rebuttal.
The second reporter stood up and was a reporter from a Xin TV station. He naturally could not question the sovereign right of his own country. His concern was related to economics.
“In your speech, I noticed that you mentioned that Celestial Trade will open up Lunar City to the public. Does this mean that ordinary investors can also participate in the development of Moon resources? If so, in which areas is Celestial Trade more inclined for cooperation.”
After listening to the reporter’s question, Jiang Chen smiled and replied cheerfully.
“As a city, Lunar City naturally has no reason to be isolated from the world. We have never intended to monopolize the resources of the Moon. Like Penglai, we welcome every visitor, immigrant, and investor.”
“As for the specific areas of cooperation, there are too many. Rare earth resources, tourism, entertainment, metallurgical industry, power export, these five industries will be the economic pillars. Other than power export that involves confidential and sensitive technology for cooperation, investors have their choice to join us.”
“The premise is to recognize the sovereignty of the city.”